El Paso Drug Trafficking Brothers Sentenced to Federal Prison

In El Paso, a federal judge sentenced two brothers to decades in federal prison for their roles in an El Paso-based drug trafficking organization announced United States Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie, Jr., El Paso Division; and, Special Agent in Charge Kyle W. Williamson, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), El Paso Division.

During a hearing held yesterday, United States District Judge David C. Guaderrama sentenced 39–year-old Oscar Fierro-Sanchez and 38–year-old Ricardo Fierro-Sanchez to 40 years and 20 years, respectively, in federal prison followed by ten years of supervised release. Judge Guaderrama also ordered that the defendants forfeit to the Government approximately $7,000 in U.S. Currency, a 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and their El Paso residences (combined value is approximately $500,000). Judge Guaderrama also ordered that Oscar Fierro-Sanchez pay a monetary judgment in the amount of $205,000.

In April 2018, the brothers entered guilty pleas. Oscar Fierro-Sanchez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Ricardo Fierro-Sanchez pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of maintaining drug involved premises.

By pleading guilty, the brothers admitted that from January 2015 to April 2017, they ran a large-scale drug distribution operation out of their residences that involved hundreds of kilograms of heroin, cocaine and marijuana.

“Combating transnational drug trafficking organizations is one of the top criminal priorities of the El Paso FBI. This investigation is an outstanding example of joint cooperation between the FBI and the DEA working together to have a positive impact on keeping our communities safer,” said FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge Buie.

“The sentencing of Oscar and Ricardo Fierro-Sanchez sends a message to all who engage in the distribution of illegal drugs. This case highlights the impact that multiple agencies can have when they join forces to combat this illicit trade by holding those responsible accountable to the community,” said DEA El Paso Division Special Agent in Charge Williamson.

These sentences resulted from an investigation by the FBI/DEA Strike Force. The Strike Force is a multi-agency task force established to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations. The El Paso Police Department and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office assisted with this investigation.